George Lazenby Announces Retirement from Acting

George Lazenby, the actor famous for playing James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, has announced his retirement at the age of 84.

Lazenby shared his decision on social media, stating, «This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work.» He declared he would no longer be acting, making public appearances, or signing autographs.

Reflecting on his career, Lazenby said, «It’s been a fun ride but getting older is no fun.» He expressed his gratitude towards his manager and friend, Anders Frejdh, who he credited for supporting him since 2013.

Before stepping into the iconic role of 007, Lazenby worked as a model. After playing Bond, he turned down the opportunity to reprise the role, which allowed Sean Connery to return in Diamonds Are Forever.

Throughout his career, he starred in various films such as Universal Soldier, Who Saw Her Die?, and The Man From Hong Kong. In the late 1970s, he decided to step back from Hollywood and invested in real estate and businesses.

Lazenby’s experiences in the Bond franchise were explored in the 2017 docudrama Becoming Bond. Earlier this year, whispers circulated about possible successors to Daniel Craig, with Lazenby’s name mentioned among several actors including Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

His recent years have not been without controversy; in 2022, he faced backlash after making comments during a concert in Perth, which many found inappropriate. He later apologized, explaining he never intended to hurt anyone.